Utilize the "Relatives and Work Colleagues Approach" for Stashing Miscellaneous Objects Lacking a Designated Space

Getting a Handle on Miscellaneous Items with the "Relatives and Colleagues" Approach

If you've been keeping tabs on my organization-related posts, you've likely noticed my fervor for the Organizational Pyramid's core principles, such as grouping like items together and assigning a specifc spot for everything you own. This strategy streamlines your space and tidiness. But what about items personal and unique, like that one-of-a-kind gadget without a twin for storage? It's time to change your perspective.

Bring on the "relatives and colleagues" approach

This strategy comes courtesy of one of my favorite organization gurus, Christen Fackler, an expert known for her straightforward and no-nonsense advice. For instance, amongst her advice you'll find the brainwave of picturing your home as a retail outlet, complete with storage and show areas, allowing you to access essentials quickly while maintaining order behind the scenes.

Fackler suggests viewing your belongings as either "relatives" or "colleagues." Let me explain through an example:

She considers "relatives" as items that serve distinct functions although not identical, while "colleagues" refer to items that work well together or belong in a specific location.

When does "relatives and colleagues" apply?

In her video, she demonstrates scenarios using items like takeout menus, which can be stored with their "relatives" (i.e., recipes). A pocket knife joins its "colleagues," such as other cutting tools. If you keep a pen in your kitchen for jotting down notes or creating a grocery list, but there aren't any other writing tools in that room you'd label as its "relatives," it should join its "colleagues," like the notepad you write on.

This strategy tackles the issue of storing similar items together, which often involves owning just one of an item or being uncertain as to its correct home. While the Organizational Pyramid offers rigid guidelines, the "relatives and colleagues" approach allows for some personal touch. Choose categories based on your preferences and needs, but always stick to them. If certain items, such as earplugs, start to blend between "relatives," like a headset, or "colleagues," like an eye mask, the system becomes impractical. The objective of organization, after all, is ease of access to necessary items.

Perhaps jotting down miscellaneous items' locations in your phone, separated by room, can help until you get used to remembering where they belong. As always, use labeled containers to store everything and consistently return containers to their original spots. With time, this method will become second nature, and you won't need the phone note anymore. Miscellaneous items will finally have a permanent home, transforming from an organizational hassle into an asset.

Opt for this "relatives and colleagues" approach when organizing your home by grouping your pocket knife with other cutting tools as a "colleague," while takeout menus join their corresponding recipes, serving as "relatives."

Siblings and colleagues can also gain from this method and apply it to shared spaces, ensuring that commonly used items are always within reach, while keeping everything tidy and orderly.

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Fackler's method for organizing miscellaneous items, as discussed in her book "How to Organize Everything," emphasizes the importance of assigning a designated space for each item. However, if you're dealing with miscellaneous items that lack designated spaces, attempt a modified approach inspired by her method by taking these steps:

1. Sort and Purge:
2. Gather all your miscellaneous items and categorize them (e.g., office supplies, electrical items, tools, household items).
3. Eliminate any broken, duplicates, or non-essential items[2][5].
4. Assign Temporary Storage:
5. Use temporary storage options like boxes, baskets, or bins to group similar items together.
6. Label each temporary storage container to identify its contents[4][5].
7. Designate a Central Sorting Area:
8. Select a central location in your home to place these temporary storage containers. This could be a spare room, a closet, or even a section of your garage.
9. Regularly evaluate which items are still needed and discard or donate any unwanted items[3][5].
10. Create a System for Returning Items:
11. Once you've decided which items to keep, assign a specific designated space for each in your home (e.g., designate a drawer or shelf for office supplies).
12. Implement a system for returning items to their designated spaces to maintain order[3][4].
13. Regular Maintenance:
14. Set a regular schedule (e.g., weekly or monthly) to inspect your temporary storage containers and return items to their designated spaces.
15. Adjust your system as needed to ensure it remains effective and clutter-free[4][5].

By adhering to these steps, you can effectively manage miscellaneous items lacking designated spaces, preserving Christen Fackler's organizing method principles.